There are many ways to rank the top stories of a given year, and we thought we might give this measure a try: How opinionated are you?
Here are the local news stories on The Daily Herald website that generated the most reader comments in 2019:
1. House concealed-guns policy keeps lieutenant governor away, Jan. 15 (246 comments)
Reporter Jerry Cornfield wrote: Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib did not preside at the governor’s address to a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday because he felt vulnerable in the House chamber, where people can carry concealed weapons in the public galleries. “There is no specific threat to me. There is no specific threat we know of, period,” he said before the governor’s speech. “It’s about the policy.”
Commenter Jack Boots: “That is comical. It’s also sad. The lt governor cannot do his job because of crippling hoplophobia. What good is he?”
Commenter RDPence: “I’ve visited plenty of free and democratic countries that severely restrict the private ownership of firearms. Canada, Japan, and the UK come to mind. Not one tyranny among them!”
2. Democratic U.S. Rep. Larsen: Time to impeach President Trump, July 19 (72 comments)
Reporter Jerry Cornfield wrote: Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, of Everett, on Thursday called for the impeachment of Donald Trump, saying the president’s verbal attacks on four congresswomen show he does not respect what it means to be an American and no longer deserves to be the nation’s leader. “It does not make me happy to conclude that about any president,” Larsen said by phone in an interview with The Daily Herald. Larsen’s announcement comes two days after the Democratic-led House of Representatives condemned Trump for tweets and public statements about the quartet of first-term Democrats who’ve been among his sharpest critics, saying the women should “go back” to where they came from. All are U.S. citizens, and three were born in this country.
Commenter Highlander_Yank: “Trump is a rhino’s ass and deserves to be sent packing, but impeachment is not the way to go about it. Again: It is pointless for the House to impeach the His Oafishness because the Trumpenkleinkopfkeinesteine majority in the Senate won’t convict him.”
Commenter onerightstand: “The ‘four’ have denigrated the meaning of being an ‘American!’”
3. Alaska CEO: ‘We really need to look at growing Paine Field,’ Oct. 17 (47 comments)
Reporter Janice Podsada wrote: The CEO of Alaska Airlines would like to see Paine Field’s new two-gate passenger terminal expanded to five or six gates. But Brad Tilden’s wish is just that — a wish. Both the terminal’s operator and the airport say there aren’t any plans to increase air service capacity, which is capped by the federal government at 24 daily departures and 24 arrivals.
Commenter SeattlSinner: “People bought homes near an airport that can fly 300+ flights a day if Boeing wanted too. For those people to limit the need for easier and closer air travel for the rest of us is short sited and unfair. If you don’t like airplane noise, don’t live near an airport.”
Commenter Vivian Rotunda: “… why don’t airlines provide fewer but more direct flights on larger more comfortable aircraft with better seats and service? — a new ‘green approach’ to flying.”
4. Cities will suffer if voters approve $30 car tabs, March 4 (45 comments)
Street Smarts columnist Lizz Giordano wrote: In November, voters will get another chance to reduce their car tab fees. Anti-taxer Tim Eyman’s latest initiative takes aim at Sound Transit but, if it passes, will have impacts closer to home. Car tab fees are a major source of funding used by many Snohomish County cities to pay for local road projects. Initiative 976 would reduce car tabs to $30, eliminating fees charged by cities through transportation benefit districts. This would affect Edmonds, Everett, Granite Falls, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace.
Commenter RDPence: “I am over and done with Tim Eyman. He promotes these anti-tax initiatives, year after year, because that’s how he makes his living. Whatever interest he once had in public policy has long since been superseded by his need to put cash in his pocket.”
Commenter Tom C: “Lynnwood is loaded thanks to revenues from the red-light cameras and the highest combined sales tax rate in the state along with Mill Creek.”
5. The poor and homeless are not what you think they are, April 19 (40 comments)
Reporter Lizz Giordano wrote: While the signs of poverty and homelessness can be easy to spot, how someone lost the roof over their head is a lot more complicated. Seeing misperceptions about poverty grow as homelessness becomes more visible in the region, the Everett Gospel Mission wants to challenge assumptions that can stigmatize people. To do that, the Mission, which runs several emergency shelters, launched Poverty 101 training.
Commenter WA-Fix: “What a garbage propaganda piece. Poverty is 100% a choice in the year of 2019 when there are more jobs available than we have people. Choose to be mad at Democrats who insist people stay in poverty to keep a voting bloc. Pandering works. You illegal alien problem hurts too. Oh and while this fake blog doesn’t want to report it, most homeless chose that lifestyle and do it for drugs.”
Commenter Dr Strangelove: “Sounds like you’re an ideal candidate for their Poverty 101 training.”
6. House Democrats unveil $52.6 billion budget with new taxes, March 27 (34 comments)
Reporter Jerry Cornfield wrote: House Democrats on Monday unveiled a two-year $52.6 billion budget plan which aims to transform the mental health system, solidify funding of public schools, provide financial aid to more college students and boost state worker pay.
Commenter WA-Fix: “It amazes me that people vote for Democrats in 2019 still.”
Commenter Gary Meier: “I pay sales taxes, property taxes, B&O taxes on business. Not happy about paying more but as a citizen I realize sometimes it is necessary. Those who are against all taxes are just ignorant and unrealistic.”
7. (Tie) ‘Build that wall’ cookie sparks outrage and spikes sales, Jan. 31 (33 comments)
Reporter Andrea Brown wrote: At Edmonds Bakery, it was business as unusual. On Tuesday afternoon, the phone rang nonstop and customers streamed in without even a second glance at the “Stop the Hate” sign someone taped outside the door. Many stopped to praise the man in the white apron, owner Ken Bellingham, whose politically charged sugar cookie has divided our sweet nation. “We have been so busy,” he said. “I have a ton of new customers.” Meantime, in the social media world, the 67-year-old baker is being blasted as a racist. “My cookie has been weaponized,” he said. Last week, he wrote “Build that Wall” in frosting on a heart-shaped treat.
Commenter snowboard pete: “I am going to find your bakery and visit! Do not be disturbed by the hateful liberal left. They have no sense of humor, all they do is hate and try and shut down any discussion that does not agree with their point of view.”
Commenter Reader 10,000: “Coincidentally I think they would also work if you are a fan of Pink Floyd.”
7. (Tie) Up to 45 teachers could get pink slips in Edmonds district, May 7 (33 comments)
Reporter Jerry Cornfield wrote: Faced with a projected $17.7 million budget hole for the next school year, the Edmonds School Board on Wednesday will consider a cost-cutting plan in which some teachers, assistant principals, and paraeducators could lose their jobs at the end of this school year.
Commenter ks: “This is not rocket science folks. If you raise the pay of every teacher in Puget Sound area by +13% to +23% in one year, you then cannot make a budget for the next year …”
Commenter George Bush: “If you raise teacher pay 1 percent in 9 years, you will eventually have to have a big raise. The same with rent, if it is stagnant for 9 years, don’t be surprised when it goes up.”
7. (Tie) Low-income apartment plans worry some in northeast Everett, Jan. 7 (33 comments)
Reporter Lizz Giordano wrote: In late spring, work is set to begin on 203 units of affordable housing in northeast Everett. The project has some neighbors worried the area can’t handle such a large influx of new residents.
Commenter All444: “Sad but true. Low income also brings in all of the bad. I wonder how the great deciders would react if all of these people were brought into their neighborhoods? This is the government’s fault; all of the bad that comes with their passionate ideas that are paid for by we, the taxpayers.”
Commenter Harry 904: “Vilifying the working poor is no better than those who vilify the so-called 1% of wealthiest Americans. It’s dividing people by class. It stinks.”
10. Unpaid student meal debts are on the rise in area schools, Feb. 24 (31 comments)
Reporter Jerry Cornfield wrote: A year-old law ensuring students receive lunch without fear of embarrassment if they are unable to pay is stoking a rise in unpaid meal debts for school districts around the state. Now, the law’s author is pushing for changes to ease the financial impact and allow lunch room workers to deny meals to high schoolers who cannot pay and whose parents don’t want them running up a tab.
Commenter Uncle Milburn: “The meal is part of the education process. You can’t expect your laptop to run well on low batteries nor should you expect hungry students to learn. We’re looking at this from the wrong angle. Just make all meals free, for all students. Count it as part of the basic educational budget.”
Commenter goldenboy: “Not to worry. This article is nothing more than a call for rich people to continue paying off student meal debt.”
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